Fall on Mount Desert Island

Fall is one of the best times to visit Acadia National Park. The weather is crisp, the crowds are much lighter than the summer season, and the foliage is spectacular.

Weather in early September is generally lovely (daytime temperatures in the low 70s), but temperatures start dropping by the end of the month. Fall is also the busiest season for cruise ships, which come into Bar Harbor. Even with this extra visitation, there’s always significant shift mid-September – that signals the transition between peak summer season and “leaf peeping” season. Fall foliage generally peaks between October 13–22, but the dates can vary from year to year.

Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?

Each leaf of a deciduous tree (those that loose their leaves in the Fall) contain green, red, orange and yellow pigments. Throughout the summer, the green is dominant due to chlorophyll production. As sunlight hours decrease in the Fall, the green starts to disappear and the other pigments – red, orange, yellow, scarlet and purple – come alive!

Meanwhile the tree produces a waxy substance to protect itself from the elements once a leaf separates from the branch. That’s why leaves can withstand strong wind and rain during the summer, but come down so easily during a fall rainstorm.

When the days of autumn are sunny and cool, the nights chilly but not freezing, the brightest colorations usually develop. This is when the production of chlorophyll , which is created by sunlight during photosynthesis, slows down.

More Than Just Parks | Acadia is the culmination of several weeks spent exploring Acadia National Park during peak fall color. This film was, in part, a celebration of Acadia’s centennial. It is dedicated to George B. Dorr. Sculpted by Glaciers and landscaped by beavers, Acadia is full of wonderfully unique features. Rounded mountains, tranquil ponds, rocky coastline, & some of the most beautiful trails in the world comprise this marvelous wonder. This film was shot entirely in 4K.

Here are a few fun statistics from making of this video:
Crew Members: 3
Time: 15 days
Distance: 100mi+
Photos/Videos: 15,000+
Digital Memory: 1.1TB